Do you ever wish there were a set rules on how to be a good parent? Well, The Rules of Parenting: A Personal Code for Raising Happy, Confident Children by Richard Templar.
From Amazon.com: “There are lots of wrong ways to bring up your kids, but there are lots of right ones, too. There’s no list of instructions you have to follow to the letter if you don’t want your child to end up a loser. The Rules of Parenting presents the principles to follow which you can adapt to suit you and your children. Beginning with the first rule “Relax” and continuing through 100 rules, this book presents a guide to everything a parent needs to know from toddling, school, boyfriends or girlfriends, through driving lessons and college. The book begins with a section that covers the most important rules, The Rules for Staying Sane. The rest of the sections cover the some of the big questions of parenting, including the Attitude Rules, the Discipline Rules, the Sibling Rules, the School Rules, the Teenage Rules, the Crisis Rules, all the way up to the Grown-up Rules. “
I had the opportunity to review this book and although I didn’t agree with everything in it, I found it to be entertaining and a great read. There were a lot of helpful advice that really made me sit down and think about the way I’m raising my girls.
I especially liked rule #1: Relax.
“Really good parents expect their children to be noisy, messy, bouncy, squabbly, whiny, and covered in mud. They take it all in stride. They know they’ve got 18 years to turn these small creatures into respectable grown-ups, and they pace themselves. No rush to get them acting like adults - they’ll get there in good time.”
So true. And something I definitely need to work on. I need to try to remember that my girls are just kids and kids make noise and messes. I need to remember to let them just be kids sometimes. 
Buy it!
Purchase your copy of The Rules of Parenting from Amazon.com today for $11.55.
Win it!
I have 10 copies of The Rules of Parenting to give away to ten lucky winners. To enter:
- Just mention in comments before midnight, Nov 1st one important rule in your family. That’s it!
- A random winner will be selected and notified on Nov 2nd.
- The winner will then have 3 days to claim their prize.
To earn extra entries, you may do one or all of the following. Each one counts as an extra ticket but you must leave a separate comment for each one.
- Subscribe to my feed.
- Mention this giveaway on your blog with a link back here.
- Place my button in your sidebar.
This giveaway is open to US addresses. Good luck!
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92 Comments on “The Rules of Parenting”
1:59 am
I think it is important for my son to go to bed on time.
2:01 am
That hitting is never allowed!
2:01 am
Connected to the Feed as well!
2:22 am
No screaming in the house.
2:22 am
I’m a subscriber too.
2:27 am
Your button is in my sidebar.
2:46 am
always be honest
2:53 am
Number 1 rule: Family is more important than friends.
3:07 am
Never tell anyone to shut up, everyone’s has a right to say what is on their mind.
3:42 am
don’t expect the kids to be honest if you are not..lead by example- show them what is right and lead by example..
3:42 am
subscriber
3:46 am
Designate at least one to two nights a week that everyone will be at the same meal at the same time at home.
4:45 am
To treat others as you would like to be treated.
5:58 am
One of the biggest rules in our house is to be involved in each other’s lives, especially with kids in school.
5:58 am
I’m also a subscriber.
6:28 am
Always eat dinner together as a family.
6:40 am
To be kind to everyone you meet and to tell the truth.
6:52 am
One of the most important rules are to listen to what they have to say and explain why it’s still no. We want them to feel heard. Giving them 2 choices w/the consiquence.
7:37 am
We actually have a printed list of the ‘Lietz Family Rules’ in our front hall, and the first rule is ‘Be Kind’. There are many problems that can be fixed with just some simple kindness, and for us, kindness starts with how we treat each other!
7:55 am
“Act like a grown-up”. This rule applies to my husband and myself, not our children. My husband and I are naturally immature, and lazy people, and we tend to let things slide too much and to be too permissive. This rule reminds us that someone in our household had better darn well act like an adult, or our kids will suffer in the end.
Alicia Webster
8:26 am
A rule that I think is important is to always tell our kids and now grandkids how special and unique they are. That being an individual is more important than following the crowd.
8:36 am
Treat each other the way you want to be treated! And I subscribe to you as well. Thanks!
8:59 am
The rule right now is “no hitting” since my lil one is starting his terrible 2’s!
9:00 am
We are subscribers at
phillipsonlygirl at gmail dot com
9:00 am
Your on my blog sidebar!
9:20 am
Always speak in a nice voice
9:36 am
Honesty is the best policy
9:37 am
I’m a subscriber
10:04 am
I am about whatever makes life easier… I will say, however, you have to just go with the flow ’cause it seems like a book just doesn’t cut it sometimes… And, what did the old schoolers do (our parents) when raising children? LOL!
10:13 am
Oh, and I would say to always be truthful.
10:16 am
Looksa like a good read. In our house we always make sure to say we’re sorry and then give hugs!:)
10:37 am
What parent couldn’t use a little advise every now and then?!?
m_huston(at)hotmail(dot)com
10:37 am
I’m a subscriber, too.
10:39 am
Must be involved in some type of after school activity.
10:41 am
I’m subscribed.
11:38 am
stand by your family first no one else is going to
11:56 am
An important rule for us, especially having little ones, is speaking with kindness and doing things with a happy heart!
12:09 pm
Trust in God
12:21 pm
Set allowances and teach kids to work for their money!
1:19 pm
No drinking alcohol before noon.
1:23 pm
Because I said so
1:24 pm
Subscriber
1:26 pm
family comes first
2:03 pm
For my husband and I, it to be honest. We have a new son to start our family and thus we are coming up with rules. This would be a great starting point for us! I am also a subscriber
2:33 pm
We eat meals together
3:41 pm
To treat others as you want to be treated.
3:49 pm
Be nice to each other - treat your brother/sister like you want them to treat you.
3:49 pm
I am a subscriber.
4:05 pm
Parents have the final say.
4:17 pm
work for what you want
4:35 pm
in our family, we try not to seem aggravated when we are, and it’s quite difficult at times with toddlers!
4:36 pm
subscribed
4:53 pm
A rule in our house is family dinner every night!
4:53 pm
I’m a subscriber. =)
5:57 pm
Count to ten before speaking if you are angry.
6:09 pm
Hello, I would really appreciate winning this parenting book! Manners is an important rule in our home! Please enter me in your drawing. Many thanks, Cindi
7:27 pm
I too love rule 1!!!!!!
I need more relaxation inmy life!
8:16 pm
[...] An Island Life - The Rules of Parenting (Nov 1st/US) [...]
3:37 am
To show each other as much love as we can and as they grow older they will return this love and more.
4:02 am
I can’t stand bickering, so our house rule is to take arguments outside.
4:03 am
I’m subscribed!
6:31 am
#1 rule for else is to show respect for others
8:07 am
no swearing
8:44 am
The family must sit at the table and eat dinner together each night. Occasionally this rule is waived, depending on what is going on.
11:32 am
We don’t hit one another.
11:33 am
I subscribed to your feed, thanks.
12:12 pm
We have rules in our house like “no hitting Mommy” and “no biting Mommy”. Maybe one day we’ll have to expand the rule to no biting or hitting anyone.
2:21 pm
Always call your elders yes sir and no sir!
2:51 pm
The Golden Rule applies at out house. It cover just about everything.
4:40 pm
Would love it!
7:03 pm
One important rule in our house is that it’s okay to get angry. It’s a weird one, but we feel that it’s the most important. We’re all just human, and in a way getting into fights and stuff just goes to show that we’re passionate. So it’s okay if we get angry and fight sometimes…we just get over it and make up. It’s a more realistic rule than something like “NO FIGHTING”.
7:04 pm
I have also blogged about your giveaway - http://mypreciouspennies.blogspot.com/2008/10/giveaways-galore-exciting-announcement.html
7:04 pm
Your button is on my blog in the left sidebar under “sites that I love”
7:04 pm
I am also a subscriber to your feed via RSS Bandit!
1:38 am
I think respecting your elders is very important!
2:52 am
Respect each other!
4:20 am
don’t move from the dining table when eating dinner.
4:57 am
No biting! Sometimes even that one is hard to enforce!
7:59 am
Our main rule is treat each other the way you would want to be treated. That tends to fall under the realm of no violence and no name calling.
7:59 am
I have your button on my blog: Here
8:00 am
I am a subscriber!
mommyhoodisthankless{AT}gmail.com
legacyofbrutalitysa{AT}gmail.com
8:01 am
I blogged about this giveaway: Here
8:33 am
I think that children need love and discipline.
9:52 am
What’s for dinner is what’s for dinner. Take it or leave it, but don’t tell me you’re hungry later! Terrific giveaway. Thanks.
10:35 am
Our main rule is that when it comes to everything you have to at least ‘try’. It doesn’t matter if you fail, you have to try anyway. Great giveaway!!!
11:27 am
One rule we have is to take your dirty dishes to the sink/dishwasher after you are done eating. Simple but very helpful.
11:29 am
I also subscribe. Thanks!
12:03 pm
Respect for all.
12:05 pm
everybody has a voice
2:46 pm
We have a one year old and haven’t made any firm rules yet…but RESPECT is a big one for hubby and me that we’ll pass on to the little guy. Would love this book-thanks!
3:31 pm
never go to bed angry is a very important rule in our home
5:05 pm
Speak kindly.